Legal Research

Exerting only the collective force of their faith and

unselfish sacrifice, the people fulfilled one of the Rizals prophesies in his book, El Filibusterismo, wherein our national hero wrote: When a people reaches ha height, God will provide a weapon, the idols will be shattered, the tranny will crumble like a house of cards and liberty will shine out like the first dawn.

The people power revolution began as a bloodless military revolt of the reform movement in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, led by Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Deputy Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Fidel V. Ramos. A 6:00pm of February 22, 1986 gave a press conference to announce their withdrawal of support from the President Marcos, admitting that Mrs. Aquino had won the elections and that President Marcos had been deceiving the people for some time.

The initial defection by a handful of brave military leaders turned into a peoples revolution. On February 23, thousands more came and reinforced the human barricade, the military could not assault the camp because of thousands of unarmed civilians had formed a human barricade to block the way. Priests and nuns knelt or sat in front of the tanks and behind them were many more citizens ready and willing to sacrifice their lives. A person rushed to the soldiers and offered them food and drinks in a gesture of love, while children were hoisted up to the tanks giving fresh flowers and friendly embraces to Marcos troops. Evidently moved by the astonishing scene, Gen. Tadiar ordered a retreat.

On the night of February 25, and his family, and some friends fled Malacanan Palace and were taken by the USA Air Force to Guam and Hawaii. It was all over. The people had won, after a peaceful revolution of four days. According to Fr. Araneta the events were not only people power but also God power at work.

On February 25, the last day of peoples revolt, Corazon Aquino was inducted into office at Club Filipino as the first Lady President of the Philippines and Salvador Laurel as Vice-President.

Restoration of Democracy in the Philippines The first thing President Aquino did upon assuming office was the restoration of democracy in our country. And the following: She formed a small Cabinet of 14 Ministers Release of all political prisoners and restored the writ of habeas corpus

The Constitutional Commission (Con-Com) In order to restore political stability of the country, President Aquino called for the drafting of a new constitution that would replace both the 1973 amended constitution and the 1986 Provisional or Freedom Constitution.

On February 2, 1987, the people went to the polls and ratified the 1986 Constitution in a national plebiscite. The result was an overwhelming number of the electorate favored the charter.

Among the salient of the 1986 Constitution are the following: A new Bill of Rights which bans abortion, the death penalty, and the use of torture, intimidation or secret detention of state prisoners.

The creation of permanent Commission on Human Rights to safeguard the rights of the people. The establishment of a presidential system of government, with checks and balance between the three branches of government. To guard against political dynasties, the presidents term is limited to six years, with a ban against relatives of the President being appointed into public office. The Presidents right to declare martial law or suspend habeas corpus is limited to 60 days, after which the Congress, upon the Presidents report, may revoke or extend the proclamation. The establishment of bicameral Congress elected by the people, which will exercise Legislative power. Provision is made for laws, constitutional amendments, and impeachment cases to be initiated by the people. Provision is made for the creation of Autonomous Regions in the Cordilleras and in Muslim parts in Mindanao. Provision is made for free education up to high school level, for medical care of paupers, and for agrarian reform. The governments right to incur new loans is subject to freedom of information and limitations by Congress and the monetary board.

After six years in office, the first lady president gave way to a peaceful and orderly transition of power. Achievement of the Aquino Administration was as follows: The restoration of peace, democracy, freedom and justice in the Philippines. This was the greatest legacy of her administration. Partial recover of big sums of money stolen during the Marcos administration by high officials and cronies in the previous regime. Stability of the government was proven despite six successive military coups. Easier credit terms and better conditions for repayment of the huge foreign debt of the Philippines, amounting to over US$ 30 billion. The defeats of the communist New People are Army and arrest many NPA top leaders, as well as the surrender of many others. Passage of the best agrarian reform law in the Philippines, limiting ownership to five hectares of agricultural land. Improvement of the Philippines both home and abroad. Mobilization of national and international aid for victims of the various calamities which hi he Philippines.

As the second millennium after Chris comes to an end, we find the Philippines at an historic turning point. History has shown that whenever a nation great Christian revival, It has happened at the lowest point of that countrys economic, political, moral and social conditions. But after the Christian revival, there will come a time when the other conditions will also improve-the government will be more effective, the economy will become prosperous again, and the people will be used to spread the Gospel to other nations.

The Philippines A Unique Nation By: Sonia M. Zaide With Gregorios F. Zaides History of the Republic of the Philippines Jay Torello Dedicatoria Bachelor of laws Atty. Theresa S. Dizon July 26, 2014